FredMcKinnon.Com

I have waited for a couple of years now for the announcement.  Finally … it came.  Verizon Wireless will have the Apple iPhone in February 2011.  Less than a month away.  Woo Hoo?

If you’ve followed me for any length of time you know that I’m an Apple addict.  I’ve had Mac-only computers since I graduated from college.  My first Mac was a Centris 610.  On yeah.  Then I graduated to a Quadra.  There are (6) Macs in my home right now, believe it or not.  (some are just stored in the attic, awaiting the day I take the time to sell them on Ebay).

So it’s only natural that I’d have an iPhone, right?  Well … not exactly.  The truth is, AT&T’s coverage in our location is spotty at best.  I can’t even make a call in my own home.  So I’ve stuck with Verizon who gives me signal in almost every place I’ve ever been in the USA. (and that’s a lot of places)  So I got tired of waiting for the Verizon iPhone and got the Motorola Droid X last Summer.

So here’s a few reasons why I’m NOT planning on buying a Verizon iPhone in February:

#1.  I’m in a new 2-year contract with only 6 months used at Verizon since buying the DroidX, so … checkout my price:

#2.  I actually LIKE my DroidX.  It’s not without it’s glitches, but the phone is only 6 months old.

#3.  I’ve gotten used to (and love) syncing with the Google Cloud – I really don’t even use Apple’s “MobileMe” anymore.  “MobileMe” is $99 … Google is FREE.

#4.  I can use my phone as an internet modem for my laptop or computer for no extra fee (thanks to PDANet)

#5.  So far … there are no must-have apps for my daily use that I can’t get on Android.

That being said – Let me say, I think the iPhone is one of the most amazing technological devices made.  I love it.  I still “want one” … but I don’t “need one”.

And lastly – my official disclaimer that I may eventually get the iPhone anyway.  I’m just not going to be rushing to the Verizon Store on Day #1.  For now, my DroidX does everything I need.  (with the exception of giving me the iPhone coolness vibe).

How ’bout you … will you be switching?

Hi.  My name is Fred McKinnon, and I’m an Apple-holic.

Since I was first introduced to Apple computers at Georgia Southern University in 1989 … it’s all I’ve used.  We’ve got multiple Macs and iPods … but the one Apple product that we’ve stayed away from was the iPhone.

I’ve wanted an iPhone for a couple of years.  The reality is, AT&T’s service in our area is less-than-reliable.  In our home, it’s essentially nonexistent.  That won’t work for us.  So I didn’t just want an iPhone.  I wanted a Verizon iPhone.

So earlier this month, I finally accepted the fact that maybe another phone could be as powerful as the coveted iPhone … at least, until an iPhone was available on Verizon’s network.  (the latest rumor is that this will happen in January 2011 … emphasis on the word, “rumor”).  So Joy and I both got ourselves the brand new “DroidX” from Motorola, sporting Google’s “Android” operating system.

In my business, Google is a constant companion.

Google Checkout
Google Base/Shopping
Google Analytics
Google Adsense
Google Adwords

Earlier this year, at the prompting of Travis Paulding, our Tech Director at SSCC, I migrated all of my email accounts to Google Apps.  After utilizing the powerful Gmail engine in Google Apps to power my multiple domains and email accounts, I asked myself why I didn’t do that a long time ago when Tony Morgan was talking about it.

So the courtship begins.  I have a Google-based phone, a business that networks with Google, and an “all-Apple” computer system, utilizing all the Apple apps like Mail, Address Book, and iCal.

And somehow, all of these have to not just get along … but be in love.

Well, a few weeks into my Google/Droid/Apple courtship, I am proud to say that “love is in the air”.
Stay tuned for Part 2 for details on the courtship, including my Apps, and how I brought my Google Phone into a beautiful union with my Mac Address Book, iCal, To-Dos, Email, Music, Photos, and Videos.

Part 2 … coming soon.

Since I was first introduced to the beauty of Apple with the Centris 610 in the Music Lab at Georgia Southern University, I was hooked.  I think my first purchase was a Centris.  I’ve had 4-5 Macs since.  I’m an Apple-Addict.

You know what else I really like?  Google.

Google docs.
Google search.
Google base.
Google Apps.

And now Google is getting into hardware?

This past week I started moving my hosted email over to Google’s Gmail servers via their Google Apps.  I still keep my @fredmckinnon.com, @theworshipcommunity.com (and a dozen or so other online identities!) but with the uptime and service standards that Google’s Gmail servers can provide.

Today I installed Google Chrome browser – wow, it’s super fast.  I like it better than Firefox (which now gives me daily trouble) with the exception of the fact that when you choose something in a popup field of a form, you have to hit the “enter” key to lock it in.  (Safari does the same thing, though).

Then … there is the huge question that keeps lingering …

Do I hold out in hopes that Apple will finally make their incredible iPhone available on Verizon?  Rumors said that would happen in June 2010 but those rumors have disappeared and the prospects look pretty bleak now.  Yet, most everyone I’ve talked to loves their Motorola Droid powered by Google and Verizon is definitely getting the Google Nexus soon.

I heard someone recently make a comment that “you know it will eventually be Apple and Google fighting it out”.  I can’t think of two greater competitors.

So I’m facing an identity crisis.  I’ve always been an Apple guy.  (and always will be).  But am I becoming a Google guy, too?

What are YOUR thoughts?  Let me know – comment below!

Hey Everybody,

So we’ve just completed Day 2 of Arise, the Willow Creek Arts Conference. Overall, it’s been a blast. As I mentioned yesterday, Chris has been keeping a good stream of blog posts and pictures from the event, so rather than rehashing all the details, just check out his blog.

Today was a bit different, as we had breakout sessions all day … so our team was separated.

My first session was called “Putting Music Technology to Work In Your Church”, taught by Steve Young. I walked away extremely disappointed in this session, mostly because it was like Pre-K basic. The first hour was spent talking about the most basic of basic stuff … different types of keyboards, guitar modules, and electronic drums. I’d hoped to jump into some serious stuff about virtual synths, loops, click tracks, Ableton Live, etc … we barely scratched that stuff in the last 10 minutes of the class. It was a bummer.

The other 3 classes that I took were called “Conversations” – these were very small-group breakouts that you could choose as an alternative to the bigger classes. Each “conversations” was led by someone and there would be 5-8 people at the table, just all having a “conversation” about the topic.

“Developing Your Worship Leading” by Joe Horness (previously WC’s Worship Director for 25 years). This was a great class and we tackled some issues head-on that we’re confronting right now at SSCC.

“Building Health Relationships with your Musicians, Singers, and Tech Team” was also a great experience. We talked about ways to keep unity across your music, vocal, band, and tech team – how to empower volunteers, earn and build respect, etc. Some great insights, and well worth the time.

“The Church as Music Publisher and Record Producer” – this was taught my a long-time friend, Susan Fontaine Godwin of ChurchCA.com, and was very enjoyable. As an artist, I’m constantly trying to learn what other churches are doing to empower their songwriters, artists, and other forms or art, while protecting them (and the church) from future copyright, ownership, and liability issues.

Towards the end of Session 3 I got a direct message via Twitter from Lee McDerment, the Worship Leader at NewSpring in Anderson, SC (with Perry Noble and Tony Morgan) … “yo dawg, you in the building, I’m in the coffee shop until 3:15″. Lee and I have spoken on the phone (re: recording in church, etc) and via email several times, but it was my first chance to just hang out w/ the guy. Kudos .. he’s super cool, super humble, and 100% genuine. Glad to make that relationship … and after hearing his rock-out album, I had no clue he studied classical piano like I did!

After the final session, I headed back to the hotel where the Vendor’s Expo is happening – I made a b-line straight for the Sensaphonics booth where they had one of their audiologists on hand doing full in-ear impressions. I got full impressions made of both ears, and in 4-5 weeks I’ll some groovey silicone custom-fit sleeves for my Shure E5 IEMs. I’d had substantial surgery done in my left ear years ago, and the audiologist noticed right away, which was funny – she was like “what happened in there!”.

Chris, Travis, and Bo were in the Expo when I arrived so Chris (always with cam in hand) captured some video of that moment which I’ll post soon. In the meantime, here’s a pic he shot yesterday while we were at lunch …

Would you say we’ve drunk the Steve Jobs Kool-Aid?

More later!
Fred

What laptop does Steve Ballmer use for his presentations? Right…, originally uploaded by Paint.It.Black.

Gotta love this one. Thanks to Travis for sending it to me ….

What a way to start the day.

Fred